Telecommunication Students Claim 14 OBEA Awards

Fourteen awards were presented to Oklahoma Baptist University students at this year’s Oklahoma Broadcast Education Association Student Competition in Tulsa.

The 17th annual OBEA Student Competition was sponsored by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters.

Owen Wildman, a junior from Mayer, Ariz., led the OBU contingent, receiving six awards. Wildman won first place for radio magazine talk; second place for television public service announcements, radio entertainment, scriptwriting and radio public service announcements; and third place for television commercial.

Wildman also received one of the five $2,000 scholarships awarded by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters awarded.

“It feels great to measure your progress against other Oklahoma media students and come away with some awards, but the most valuable aspect of the competition is having your entries critiqued by real working professions in the field,” said Wildman. “Each year inspires you to try harder the next year.”

Justin Metcalfe, a senior from Tulsa, Okla., won first place for television entertainment and third for television public service announcements. Amber McCune, a senior from Fort Worth, Texas, placed first for television promotions and received second place for television entertainment. Jamie Pent, a sophomore from Overland Park, Kan., won first place for radio public service announcements.

Christi Mitchell, a sophomore from Blair, Okla., won first place for television hard news and third place for radio feature news. Mitchell and Megan Hungerford, a sophomore from Buffalo, Okla., placed second in radio newscast.

“We all work extremely hard at our projects, and to be recognized for it is very gratifying,” said Mitchell. “Telecommunication students are like family. When one person succeeds, we all succeed. We are very proud of each other’s accomplishments.”